Rockettes

Rockettes are a world-renowned dance company known for their precision and synchronization, performing at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and other venues across the United States. The Rockettes have been a part of American entertainment since the 1920s, with their iconic Christmas Spectacular show featuring Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and the Nutcracker. The company has performed with famous entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson, and has been featured on television shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Saturday Night Live. The Rockettes have also performed at various events, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade.

History

The Rockettes were founded in 1927 by Russell Markert as the "Missouri Rockets," and later became known as the "New York Rockets" before finally settling on their current name. The company's early performances were at the Missouri Theater in St. Louis, Missouri, and they later moved to New York City to perform at the New Yorker Theatre. The Rockettes gained popularity in the 1930s, performing with George Gershwin and Irving Berlin at the Ziegfeld Theatre. During World War II, the Rockettes performed for the United Service Organizations (USO) and entertained troops at Camp Pendleton and other military bases. The company has also performed at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Organization

The Rockettes are a part of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. and are managed by James L. Dolan. The company consists of 36 women who are selected through a rigorous audition process, which includes performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. The Rockettes are divided into two teams, with each team performing at Radio City Music Hall and other venues across the United States. The company has a strong relationship with NBCUniversal and has performed on The Today Show and Access Hollywood. The Rockettes have also partnered with American Express and Coca-Cola to produce their annual Christmas Spectacular show.

Performances

The Rockettes are known for their high-energy performances, which include their iconic Christmas Spectacular show and other productions such as the New York Spring Spectacular and the Summer Spectacular. The company has performed at various venues, including Madison Square Garden, The Forum in Inglewood, California, and the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Rockettes have also performed with famous musicians such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Taylor Swift at the Grammy Awards and other music festivals like Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Lollapalooza. The company has been featured on television shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, and has performed at the Tony Awards and the Emmy Awards.

Notable_Rockettes

Many notable women have been a part of the Rockettes, including Heather Hitchens, who is the current captain of the company, and Katie Holmes, who performed with the Rockettes in the 1990s. Other notable Rockettes include Christine Baranski, who performed with the company in the 1970s, and Faith Hill, who was a Rockette in the 1980s. The Rockettes have also been featured in films and television shows, including The Producers and Glee, with appearances by Matthew Broderick and Neil Patrick Harris. The company has also been referenced in popular culture, with mentions on The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Choreography_and_Training

The Rockettes are known for their precise and synchronized choreography, which is created by Linda Haberman and other renowned choreographers like Bob Fosse and Twyla Tharp. The company's choreography is inspired by George Balanchine and Martha Graham, and is a unique blend of jazz, tap, and ballet. The Rockettes undergo rigorous training, which includes classes in pilates and yoga at New York University and Juilliard School. The company's training program is led by Eileen Collins, who has worked with American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet. The Rockettes also participate in workshops and masterclasses with famous choreographers like Savion Glover and Mikhail Baryshnikov at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and Vail International Dance Festival.